I was supposed to leave for New Orleans in a few days, but had to abruptly cancel the trip. It would've been my first time there, and it's a bummer but I know I made the right decision. There are a few main reasons of which I won't go in to detail here, but the idea of New Orleans approaching made me nostalgic for New Orleans based music. I've been pulling out the early Allen Toussaint albums, Aaron Neville, and Irma Thomas albums, as well as a great comp off of Soul Jazz called New Orleans Funk. Duke Ellington isn't from New Orleans, he was born in Washington D.C., but he released a marvelous late-Ellington period album called New Orleans Suite, which brilliantly captures the essence of New Orleans (at least in the eyes of one who hasn't been there). Before I go into Ellington more, let me just say that I'm a huge fan of the Duke. From his early Okeh Recordings, through his recordings with the Blanton-Webster Band, through his collaborations with John Coltrane, and Charles Mingus (the later featured on the 1962 release Money Jungle, one of my favorite Ellington albums). The Duke can do no wrong in my opinion. I wanted to feature a clip off of the 1970 release New Orleans Suite, mainly in honor of New Orleans, and The Duke. This clip is titled "Blues for New Orleans", it's seriously swings, and it's wonderful. Here's to The Duke, or Mr. Ellington to you!
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